Variety

Oscars New Voting Rule Explained: How the Academy Plans to Enforce Mandatory Viewing

22 Apr 2025, 22:23 by Clayton Davis · Variety

In a major shift for Oscar voting protocol, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that members will now be required to confirm they’ve watched all nominated films in a category before being allowed to vote in that race.

The initiative, aimed at strengthening the integrity and credibility of the awards process, combines digital tracking through the Academy Screening Room with member-reported viewings — building on a structure already familiar to Academy voters.

How It Works

Beginning with the 98th Academy Awards, ballots during the final voting phase will only unlock for members who have verified they’ve watched all nominated films in a given category. This requirement applies across all 24 competitive Oscar categories, from best picture and the acting races to costume design and the newly introduced award for casting.

The Academy will track viewership through its exclusive, members-only streaming platform, the Academy Screening Room. Any film watched in full on ASR is automatically recorded and applied toward the voter’s eligibility.

For films viewed outside the platform — at a guild or Academy screening, festival, theatrical showing, or private event — members must submit a simple online form stating when and where they saw the film. These forms operate on an honor system, a practice the Academy has already used for years in specialty categories such as international feature, animated feature, documentary and the three short film races.

In other words, this process isn’t new. It’s merely expanding to include the rest of the Oscar ballot.

Why It’s Happening

The goal seems clear: reduce what’s known as “coattail voting,” where voters support a nominee based on reputation, buzz or familiarity — often without having seen all the competing films. This can result in overlooked performances and artisan achievements that simply didn’t get enough exposure.

By requiring a full viewing of all contenders in a category, the Academy hopes to promote more informed, equitable voting, especially for smaller films that might not have massive marketing budgets.

And to those worried about ASR tracking their viewing habits: Welcome to the internet. All streaming platforms track your watch history. Have you heard of the algorithm?

The Academy has not received complaints about this from members thus far. In fact, behind the scenes, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

This is something members have been requesting for years. The ones who are most engaged in the process want to feel that the Oscars reflect real work and effort — not just buzz.

What Does It Mean for Voters?

This rule affects only final voting, not the nomination phase. Using last season as an example: if a member watched only the 10 best picture nominees — “Anora,” “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Conclave,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Emilia Pérez,” “I’m Still Here,” “Nickel Boys,” “The Substance” and “Wicked” — they would already be eligible to vote in five categories: best picture, director, actress, supporting actress and film editing.

Add a few more titles — such as “The Apprentice,” “A Real Pain” and “Sing Sing” — and eligibility expands to the four acting categories and adapted screenplay. One more, like “Nosferatu,” unlocks production design.

It’s not about seeing every movie, just every nominee in the categories you choose to vote on.

The process also reinforces the prestige and responsibility that comes with being an Oscar voter. Let’s be honest — the only people complaining are the ones not watching the movies.

Does this go into effect immediately?

Yes. This is the current rule for this forthcoming awards season.

But I don’t have time to watch every movie. What happens now?

While a handful may grumble privately, Academy leadership maintains that the rule reflects a broader cultural shift within the organization — one toward accountability, fairness and honoring excellence in a truly informed way.

And with screeners, virtual Q&As and digital forms readily available, there’s really no excuse to leave everything until the last minute.

At the core of the policy is a simple belief: If you haven’t seen the films, you shouldn’t be voting on them.

In fact, it could be argued that all awards groups should adopt similar requirements for their members, in an attempt to level the playing field.

The Oscars are set to take place on March 15.

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